The impact of double gloving on bacterial glove contamination: An analysis of moisture film in spinal surgery

This prospective single-centre pilot study examined whether the double-gloving technique affects fluid accumulation between glove layers and possible bacterial contamination during spinal surgery. Surgical site infections remain a major complication in spine surgery. While double gloving reduces contamination from glove perforations, the microenvironment between glove layers has not previously been studied. A total of 32 spinal procedures were analysed. In the experimental group, the outer glove cuff completely covered the inner glove cuff, whereas in the control group, approximately 1 cm of the inner cuff remained visible. Interglove fluid formation and bacterial contamination were assessed. Fluid accumulation occurred only in the experimental group. Thirty interglove fluid swabs were cultured. Twenty-nine (96.7%) showed no bacterial growth, while one (3.3%) yielded Staphylococcus epidermidis . No fluid formation occurred in the control group. These findings suggest that glove cuff configuration influences wrist moisture dynamics. Larger multicentre studies are needed to determine potential clinical relevance for surgical site infection risk.